Vauhall Insignia ecoFLEX

By Chris Thorp

02nd October 2008

The Insignia is yet to appear in Vauxhall’s UK showrooms, but the firm has already pulled the covers off the ultra-frugal ecoFLEX variant.

Revealed on the firm’s Paris Motor Show stand, the green version of the  Ford Mondeo rival promises to cut your running costs and carbon emissions without compromising on refinement – in fact it’s the quietest Vauxhall ever built!

Powered by a 158bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the ecoFLEX family car produces less than 140g/km of CO2. Despite emissions on a par with many superminis, it will still be capable of 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds thanks to a torque overboost function which increases pulling power from 350Nm to 380Nm for up to 15 seconds.

The key to the Vauxhall’s efficiency lies partly in its slippery shape. The standard Insignia’s drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.27Cd to 0.26Cd, while special eco tyres are fitted to 17-inch alloy wheels.

Prices are yet to be announced for the newcomer, which will go on sale in the UK next summer, but it won’t sit at the bottom of the Insignia range. Instead it will be marketed as a mid-range variant with comfort and economy coming as standard.

Meanwhile the Insignia Sports Tourer estate also made its world debut in Paris. The newcomer has a 540-litre luggage capacity with the rear seats in place, while the firm's new FlexRide adjustable dampers are set up to adjust for heavy loads. The Sports Tourer will go on sale in the UK in March next year.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.